State v. Austin

HAYS, Justice.

After a jury trial, appellant Rex Austin was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to life imprisonment without benefit of parole for 25 years. Denied a new trial, he has appealed and we take jurisdiction pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-4031.

FACTS

On December 20,1977, the body of Milton Letchworth was discovered buried beneath a pile of rocks in the desert north of Tucson. The body was clad in blue jeans and socks; a blanket was wrapped around the upper torso. Both the ankles and wrists were bound by a single piece of rope.

Subsequent investigation by the Pima County…